Donna L. Kampsen

Donna Luella Paramore Kampsen

Donna Luella Paramore was born on October 12, 1936, in Topeka, Kansas. She was the first of four children born to Lewis Marcus and Dorothy Maxine Paramore. She passed peacefully into eternity on October 8, 2025, in Visalia, California, in the comfort of her home and surrounded by family—just shy of her eighty-ninth birthday.

Donna grew up in a loving home with her parents and younger siblings, Jim, Susie, and Nancy. She attended Lyman Elementary School in North Topeka and later Seaman High School. During her high school years, she met the love of her life, Elmer Kampsen. The happy couple married soon after her graduation and began their long and beautiful legacy of love, family, and community. They were married for 67 years when Elmer passed in 2021.

One year after their wedding, Donna was blessed with the birth of their first child, Stephen James, followed by LuAnn, Rebecca Joan, Angela Sue, and Jill Elizabeth. Donna loved motherhood and homemaking and excelled at both. Her creativity flourished as she cooked, baked, decorated her home, and taught herself to sew clothing for herself and her children.

In 1964, the family moved across the country to Visalia, California, beginning a new chapter filled with friendships and community life. Donna’s natural leadership abilities grew as she volunteered in many roles, including Cub Scouts den mother, Girl Scouts leader, PTA member, 4-H sewing instructor, Methodist Youth Fellowship leader, Sunday school teacher, and later as a discussion leader with Bible Study Fellowship.

In 1975, Donna began a spiritual journey that led to a deep and sincere faith in God and the teachings of Jesus Christ, forming a lifelong commitment to follow Him. This faith gave her hope, direction, and peace throughout the rest of her life.
In 1984, at the invitation of her daughter and son-in-law, Ken and LuAnn Owens, Donna helped open and staff a Christian bookstore in downtown Exeter, California—Exeter Bible Supply. Donna and Elmer later purchased the store, which flourished and expanded. In 1992, they moved the business to Visalia, renaming it Scripture House. Donna devoted her heart and soul to the store, which became well-known in the community for its beautiful décor and outstanding customer service.

In 1986, Donna was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent multiple treatments. Through the grace of God, steadfast determination, and excellent medical care, she became a forty-year cancer survivor and an inspiring example of resilience and faith.
Donna will always be remembered as a beautiful, classy woman; a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother; and a faithful friend to many. She took great joy in attending family events— especially sports, music, and theater performances—and was a devoted fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. She also loved reading and playing word games such as Scrabble and Words With Friends.

Donna is survived by her five children: Steve Kampsen (Susan), LuAnn Owens (Ken), Becky Prosser (Bryan), Angie Cloutier (Dan), and Jill Maze (Garrett); sisters: Sandra Sue (Susie) Knedlik, and Nancy Bond (Gary); sister-in-law, Lani Paramore; thirteen grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lew and Dorothy Paramore; husband, Elmer Kampsen; brother, Jim Paramore; and brother-in-law, Larry Knedlik.
Her life was a testament to love, resilience, and faith, and she leaves behind a legacy that will continue to bless generations to come. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the American Cancer Society in Memory of Donna Kampsen; donate.cancer.org

 
A memorial service will be held in her honor on Saturday, November 1, at 1 p.m. at Gateway Church in Visalia, California

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